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Published
02/07/10
It's a record - well, maybe. Official totals weren't in early last night at press time, but the Blizzard of 2010 likely will break the single-storm record and put this winter over the top for the most snow in a season since records were first kept in 1883. Find Us On Facebook
Before this weekend's storm, we had seen 35.6 inches of snow. Add to that the preliminary 26.5 inches from this weekend and the total is but 0.4 inches shy of the 62.5 inch record. The historic snowfall dumped over two feet in our area on average, rendering many roads impassable, halting public transportation, closing businesses and malls, canceling events and...
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Justin - 2010-02-16 14:21:42
My sidewalks were cleared within 12 hours after the storm. It was not easy, but we got it done without complaining. However, last night, the county snow removal equipment finally came through the neighborhood and cleared the streets of the snow. They had no choice but to pile it ontop of the sidewalks. Its as high as 12 feet full of solid ice chucks. It just about physically impossible to dig this out by hand.
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Rick M - Laurel, Md - Karma: Excellent
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Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2010-02-16 13:33:31
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Good job overall. - 2010-02-15 14:42:34
I for one am very impressed with the job done by State, County and private sector contractors who worked on the roads. I was in south county and impressed with the great job done. Back in Severna Park, not same quality, but plows opened up at least a single lane on each road in our community. Perhaps lesser performance was due to greater number of roads. This was a historic amount of snow. The City of Annapolis, the District of Columbia and Baltimore City...where are you going to put the snow, in the back of dump trucks? It's good for Mother nature remind us sometimes. I have bigger complaint about unsafe drivers expecting lanes at 50 mph on Aires T. Allen and Rt. 2, right after the storm. Perspective, a deep breath and little courtesy go a long way.
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harry trampolini - severna park, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Paying Union Wages is a waste... - 2010-02-15 02:09:11
"...If you understood the amount of training these IUOE Union operators go through before operating this equipment you would then understand why they get paid the wages they make..."
No, I wouldn't - I could teach a child to operate almost all of that equipment in a few hours and they could get more done in less time than those that feel the need to hide behind a socialist organization.
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Fred Davis - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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fred D - 2010-02-14 19:35:38
It is unfortunate that you feel this way, highly trained workers who are willing to work around the clock to insure the publics safety does come at a price. If you understood the amount of training these IUOE Union operators go through before operating this equipment you would then understand why they get paid the wages they make. I agree making baseless statements in this forum serves no purpose.
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Kevin Gallimore - Annapolis , MD - Karma: Good
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What a Disgrace..... - 2010-02-14 09:30:11
I finally ventured downtown to get some errands down and couldn't believe the lackluster plowing job the city has done.
I saw 4 cars buried under 5 feet of snow and traveled down at least 3 two lane streets that were one lane.
I know this post is negative and I'm probably going to get alot of thumbs down but I'm glad I live just outside the county line because we got our streets and the parking lot to my condo complex plowed literally the day after the storm.
The city should have really planned this one out better.
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Steve Gundersen - Annapolis, Md - Karma: Bad
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Mr Shai - 2010-02-13 11:19:00
I've mentioned this in several posts. The County does NOT plow school lots. That is the responsibility of AACPS. The main roads are in very good shape. Please go to the County web site and read the snow removal policy. It has not changed.
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Fay Hall - Severna Park, md - Karma: Excellent
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fred davis - 2010-02-13 09:01:32
your anti-union rhetoric is devoid of factual data. If you are going to make such a blanket statement about Union labor and wish to be taken seriously you should have some facts to prove that which you say.
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Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible
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Snow Removal - 2010-02-13 07:04:22
Yeah, way to go Mr. Mayor - the hiring of Union workers to plow the snow ensured the public paid twice the price for half the work!
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Fred Davis - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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ROADS - 2010-02-13 05:25:14
Great come back Sal,since I have one of those houses on a private road it is not the counties job to clear it is there job to hire a contractor, no different than buying a house in a new subdivision and think the roads will be plowed,not untill it is turned over to the county,heck I live on a public road and just saw a plow yesterday {friday}so I have been stuck since last Sat.Heck the last time we had close to this much snow was 1979 FEBURAY PRESIDENTS DAY! But I guess the crying comes from the ones w/ no t.p-bread or eggs,we all knew it was comming days in advance.
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jim pearson - seaford, de - Karma: Terrible
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Private Road - 2010-02-12 20:35:38
Russ...you are in the same boat as most neighborhoods in the counties along the bay. They are special tax districts that tax themselves, received the monies back from the county and take care of their own infrastructure. Slap a "Private Road" sign up on both sides of the road and hope that it keeps out the riff-raff, just as all the other neighborhoods do. And go to your neighborhood association. They should be shouldering some of the burden. But you do benefit from the taxes you pay at the pump because 99% of the driving that you do is not on your private road, but the public roads maintained by the county.
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Salvatorre Bagatelli - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good
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Michael - 2010-02-12 19:56:22
Again you should not comment on situations that you know nothing about or generalize. AA County is doing the best they can do. If you can do better apply for a position. My husband has worked(WORKED) 96 HOURS (midnight to noon)(and no that is not all overtime first (8) is regular in 8 days. I have seen the work he has done and spoke to several of the neighbors in that community. He is not at all complaining. But if you'd like to change your schedule from 6-3pm to midnight -noon, eat your dinner cold for breakfast in a truck bouncing around, miss family time and put your safety on the line in a blizzard; i'll put a good reference in for you. My husband doesn't need a fire lit under him by anyone(well maybe me) and in fact he has lost (9)pounds so if he's hanging at the doughnut shop they must be diet and if he is he is entitled to a break. Again please don't generalize individuals. And you have no clue what was going on plowing a private parking lot maybe it was for parking off of emergency snow routes or maybe the building was going to be used for temporary shelter. I'm glad your neighorhood is good doers -that's the way it should be. And what did people do before there were plows.. Great Job for AA County!~
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dianna cantler - arnold, md - Karma: Excellent
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Snow Removal - 2010-02-12 17:39:08
The State has done a pretty good job. The County (AA) -- HORRIBLE!! Since the first snowfall, I have seen exactly ONE County truck -- it was plowing out a private parking lot. If it wasn't for the do-gooder's in the neighborhood, we'd still be stuck. This is day seven after the first event & Brooklyn Park Middle school is still not even touched by a plow. I know this is more snow than we've ever had, but it appears there is very little effort by the county. Come on guys, let's get to it. My tax dollars aren't supposed to pay all the donut shops to feed the crews for 8 hours to clean private lots. I have traversed many roads since being set free by the do-it-yourselfers with plows -- the county is doing NOTHING. Come on Mr. Leopold, light a fire under the crews!!!
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Michael Shai - Brooklyn Park, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Salvatorre - 2010-02-12 15:20:05
I did purchase a home on a private road, but I am not the only landowner on said road. It is open on both ends to public roads, making it almost impossible to "keep the public out". We were told when we bought it that road maintenence would be our responsibility, in conjunction with the community association. My feeling is that road repairs/resurfacing and snow removal are two different things. However the revenue used for both comes from the same source. And that is the issue.
Everyone benefits from having the kids in school. (It keeps them off the streets! both public and private!)
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Russ Patterson - Stevensville, MD - Karma: Bad
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Apoligy - 2010-02-12 15:13:07
I do apoligize to those "Govt" employees who do a great job and are having to suffer the results of our elected officials decisions along the way. (Dianna, Steve, and others)
I just HATE and DESPISE big government. Not your fault at all.
But there are far too many govt employees that out right suck at what they do! Not fair of me to generalize that with you. I am sorry.
I am not upset at all of the job the State, County, and cities have done in MD for the snow. I just HATE people who say we need to spend more money to get more equipment. And those that can't understand why their streets haven't been plowed! They want more plows, but my point is that it would cost money that we don't have! And I am against rasing taxes. I believe that our govt is WAY too big. Especially the Federal. I am in the Army, and trust me. I know!
So, I apoligize to anyone that I offended with my earlier comments. Especially the ones posting on here. I wish you luck in theses tough times, and hope our elected officials will look in the mirror and stop spending our money on new paint for their office, new furniture... And They should take pay cuts BEFORE forcing you to take unpaid leave!!!
Former Gov. Palin did just this. She cut her own salary and her immediate staff slary BEFORE implimenting cuts eleswhere.
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Mike Newman - Odenton, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Wow what a bunch of haters! - 2010-02-12 13:14:01
After reading all these posts I can only think of one reason for all the hating....cabin fever! I've had my fair share, I had to take two days off this week too. Fortunately I had vacation to whittle away. If I didn't, I'd be eating 16 hours of pay. And no, I'm not a government employee. I feel for them, taking the brunt of everyone's snow driven angst. Why, I don't know. Lighten up people! Their employer is just like mine. If you make it in, fine, if you don't, you can kiss your vacation days goodbye. But if we did stay home, we allowed the plows to do their jobs by not trying to be heros and make it to work. As for the plowing, I think the crews are doing a great job. If anyone thinks they can do a better job, sign up for the next storm! I'm sure anyone that has had their keister in the seat of a snowplow for the past three days would gladly trade places in exchange for a steaming cup of hot cocoa. I work for a company that hires snow removal contractors for our properties and those guys are working double and triple shifts. The snow crews are concerned first with access for emergency personnel, everyone else is secondary. By the way, my street hasn't been plowed yet, but our driveways are clear, the neighbors helped each other out and if they had to, the fire or police could get to our property in an emergency. I felt it better to have the plows on the miles and miles of main roads making it safe for people that have to be on those roads rather than the 1/4 mile stretch of street that is in front of my house. The sun will come out, it will melt and no harm is done. Oh, and wait for it. More snow forecast for Monday. I love winter! I've lived in Maryland for 45 years and this cycle will repeat itself in about 8 more years. Just think, next year we can look forward to ice storms....and you can't plow ice.
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Patti Smaridge - Odenton, md - Karma: Good
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Snow Removal - 2010-02-12 11:15:57
My hats off to the IUOE Local 77 contractors who removed snow from Genessee street last night. These highly trained operators have been working hard around the clock to insure our safe passage during these blizzard conditions. Also, wnat to thank Mayor Cohen for hiring Union contractors who can get the job done right!
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Kevin Gallimore - Annapolis , MD - Karma: Good
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Free Plowing - 2010-02-11 15:04:20
Russ...you are getting your share of plowing...of public streets, which you use. I guess I don't understand your issue. You either built or bought a home on a private road. And being that you live on a private road, you can keep the yahoos away since they are trespassing and live a fairly bucolic life. But you have to take the good with the bad. If you wanted the county to plow and repair the road, you probably shouldn't have moved there. They county doesn't owe it to you to take care of a private road, even though you pay taxes at the pump. People who don't have kids still pay for public schools.
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Salvatorre Bagatelli - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good
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Enjoy your "free" snow removal - 2010-02-11 13:37:42
I love hearing people complain about the time it takes to be plowed on their public streets. If you happen to live on a private road, at least in Queen Anne's County, you get no snow removal, even though you are paying for it.
You see the revenue for road maintenance and snow removal comes out of the gas tax you pay for every gallon of gas you purchase in Maryland. This revenue is distributed to the counties from the state, according to the amount of public roads. The county then makes the decision that, if you aren't helping us get the revenue from the state then you don't get your road plowed when it snows.
How do we change our roads from being private to being a public road so we can get our share? We have to pay for it to be brought up to county standards. The usual cost for this is somewhere between $300 to $700 per year for about ten years. So, we have to spend a large amount of money to be able to use our own money to get our roads plowed! Makes sense and sounds fair to me. NOT!
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Russ Patterson - Stevensville, MD - Karma: Bad
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Wasn't it Mark Twain who said ... - 2010-02-11 05:47:38
"Those who can, do so in the private sector; those who can't, work for the Government" ...or words to that effect?
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Mark Conrad - Severna Park, MD - Karma: Excellent
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What Paul said, Plus - 2010-02-11 01:00:31
Oldschool, count on yourself not government.
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Anthony Forrest - crownsville, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Give thanks & help others - 2010-02-11 00:45:25
I think the road clean-up is being done the best that it can be considering the record amount of snow, blizzard conditions and the inability to get down some streets due to vehicles. What did people do before there were snow plows? I am just thankful we have not had alot of fatalities. Just think if the roads were all clear and the school roof that collapsed had children in it, or the two safeways that collasped were full of people and thank god the firefighters all survived their firehouse burning down. I give my condolences to the family of the custodian at Broadneck Senior whom passed away while snow clearing the sidewalk. My husband has been working(plowing) the midnight shift 12-12 since Friday. He does not mind at all; but to hear negative comments from others whom don't know is unfair. Plowing is not putting the blade to the ground and just push and throw salt around. Doing that will leave many potholes and wasting salt. Different salts work in different temperatures. The biggest problem is where to plow/put all the snow. Just relax- Give them thanks or hot chocolate some appreciation.
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dianna cantler - arnold, md - Karma: Excellent
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Goodnight, John-Boy - 2010-02-10 23:56:03
Yes, here in South County, things move a little slower. And that's okay with us. We don't have time for your fancy debates and posts on newspaper articles. No, sir, in fact I'm posting this whilst I take a break from shoveling a path to the outhouse. None of your fancy North-County plumbing here. Nope. A good-old shack with a quarter-moon cut in the door is all we need here. A couple of city slickers once tried to brave the five-mile journey from Edgewater...they ended up eating each other from sheer desperation halfway here. Some other city slickers settled here...oh, must have been in aught-four...they saw a snowflake and spontaneously combusted. Just as well, I 'spose. Because if you ain't from South County, you probably shouldn't never come here. 'Cause things is tough! I don't even own a car. Still have my covered wagon. And that's all we need here, unlike you big-city Annapolis-types.
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Salvatorre Bagatelli - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good
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Count yourselves lucky - 2010-02-10 22:40:55
Here in South County things are not so well as to allow us to gripe about whether Gov't workers get this or that.
We're on our own you see.
No grocery or Liquor store to walk to, nothing but a County plow that we thank God comes through when they can.
Electricity is sketchy here in the best of conditions. One tiny storm usually knocks us out for hours if not days. Ice storms...several days of 'You're on your own'.
When electricity goes out cable is out 15 minutes later.
We have plenty of food stocked up, generators with plenty of fuel and DVDs.
For Internet we use our cellphones as modems.
Our imported city dwellers? They leave at the first flake or lightning strike. Or you'll find them at A.A. Medical next week from eating gourmet cat chow or rotten food because they were not prepared.
We're always ready to survive without government services. I suggest everyone do the same. And stop whining that your 'Nanny State' didn't deliver your expectations.
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Paul O'Flanagan - West River, MD - Karma: Excellent
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snow - 2010-02-10 22:38:24
I moved from MD to NC almost 4 years ago. There are times I've missed living in MD. This is not one of those times. Good luck everyone on the cleanup.
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Daryl Martin - Greenville, NC - Karma: Neutral
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Diane - 2010-02-10 21:30:53
Neato!
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Salvatorre Bagatelli - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good
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salvatorre - 2010-02-10 19:43:07
1- Again another citizen who is commenting on something they know nothing about- In fact I know 2 employees whom were fired-we do not get a jillion Holidays off- We didn't make the Holidays. Us County-State-City workers are sucking it up; the whole week with Pay! And our Performance is based on our pay too- I have been there 5 years and my hourly salary is $13.052 hour-- Mcdonalds starting pay is $10.00---- So yes we deserve holidays and days paid off! I am not at all complaining about my position- I enjoy my position at the District Courthouse. We do live in the real world- I pay my mortgage-high electric bill- high fuel cost- pay my own $352.00 month health insurance(do you pay that much). I have worked since I was 14 and was born in the United States!
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dianna cantler - arnold, md - Karma: Excellent
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goverment employees - 2010-02-10 19:21:11
Welcome to America home of the free
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J William - Annapolis, Md - Karma: Neutral
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yeah, hokay - 2010-02-10 19:14:42
Steve...cry me a river. There are thousands of public servants who do a great job and keep things rolling. And then there are those crybabies who post on these boards. Your detailed list of why it sucks to be a public servant is identical to that in the private sector. Except, in the private sector, our pay is based on actual performance rather than how long we have occupied a cubical, which even veal can do successfully. You haven't received a Cost of Living raise for two years? Boo hoo! Welcome to what the rest of us call the real world. Furlough days? Yup. Overworked, underpaid? Join the club. But it is virtually impossible for you to be fired, you get a jillion holidays off, and sweet pensions. So suck it up like the rest of us do.
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Salvatorre Bagatelli - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good
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Comment removed at writer's request. - 2010-02-10 19:14:19
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Fay - 2010-02-10 17:29:03
Thanks for the info. However, they were using front end loaders at the SPMS yesterday and it appears those loaders are now being used on the streets. Two loaders plowed our street this afternoon and opened up one lane. They also cleared the base of the driveways which is a BIG Help.
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Neal Smith - Severna Park, MD - Karma: Neutral
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I agree with Dianna - 2010-02-10 16:05:11
If you chose to abandon your vehicle then the city should issue a nice $50 citation seeing as how the city has already offered to let people park in three of the public garages.
One other point I'd like to make is that the city should also schedule plowing emergency routes so that people parked on these streets know when to move their vehicles.
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Steve Gundersen - Annapolis, Md - Karma: Bad
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Neal - 2010-02-10 16:04:22
There are several reasons. First, smaller truck are contracted to do parking lots. When plowing, if you wait until it is over a foot, a truck with a plow can't handle that. It is better to keep on top of it so that it is manageable. Those smaller trucks won't do much on roadways. The County needs bigger trucks since the issue is just not plowing but where to put the snow. The County currently has over 300 pieces of equipment out on the streets. The communication and coordination of all that equipment is another issue in it's self.
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Fay Hall - Severna Park, md - Karma: Excellent
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vehicles - 2010-02-10 15:19:39
Instead of offering a shovel or helping shovel- the conversation should be **Are all these vehicles getting stuck and in the way of plowing on an emergency call, are they transportating drs/nurses to hospitals? I assume they do not have radio or television hearing the announcements to stay off road unless emergency. Tag #'s should be taken and tickets should be issued, and I think the plowers should be taking down tag #'s so they can be issued tickets and the money should be used to buy more salt/plow trucks, etc. Hiring subcontractors that are hired by schools to plow opens a big can of worms- insurance liabilities for their vehicle and themselves, fuel reimbursements, taxes need to be taken out, they would need to be on payroll someone would have to be hired to keep track of all these additional liabilities/expenses. Where is everyone in a rush to get to? I thought we were ecomonically in trouble and had no money to spend- where do people need to go to spend money and fuel. This storm has been predicted for days. Most people prepared with food and power outage necessities.
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dianna cantler - arnold, md - Karma: Excellent
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"Shubbie" - 2010-02-10 14:47:56
Feel free to leave your computer and come dig his truck out - you can even use the snow shovel I offered him last night (which was ignored as well).
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Greg Myles - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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help your neighbor - 2010-02-10 14:35:02
Myles,
instead of barking orders perhaps you could have grabbed a shovel and started digging him out. Then the two of you could begin a conversation leading to a mutually beneficial resolution. My friends, we all need each other in times like these. Let us work together.
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Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible
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Who Tows? - 2010-02-10 13:58:15
Last night around 9pm a 2WD pickup truck got stuck trying to get up my street. The owner abandoned it and walked away, ignoring my request he at least back it down the hill and park closer to the roadside in order to leave room for the city's snowplow.
Thus far DPW has done a wonderful job of clearing my street (Spa Drive - a particularly bad street with two curved hills). But if the road's blocked by a vehicle they can't do their job.
The abandoned pickup truck sits there now. I called the DPW Hotline (they answered the phone immediately). DPW in turn told me to call Annapolis PD. I've done so, but couldn't get any assurances that they'd do anything about it other than note my call.
I'm hoping the owner will take responsibility some time today to get his truck towed so DPW can do their job. I'm not optimistic though - it's nearly 2:00 and he's been a no-show. Spa Dr. not being a snow emergency route, I tend to doubt the city will treat this as a priority.
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Greg Myles - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Fay - 2010-02-10 13:40:34
I realize the Schools have their own contractors for snow removal, but wouldn't be nice if they talked to the County to utilize all their resources to remove the snow from the streets first. Then clear the schools once the streets cleared.
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Neal Smith - Severna Park, MD - Karma: Neutral
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This is the most snow I've ever see - 2010-02-10 12:29:52
I've lived in College Park and Annapolis and this is by far the most snow I have ever seen in my 46 years.
I can't imagine for the life of me figure out how they handled this during Colonial Times.
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Steve Gundersen - Annapolis, Md - Karma: Bad
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Seems to me that - 2010-02-10 12:13:48
many of the folks that are critical of public sector employees are the same morons who have been completely brainwashed to believe that anything the Government, local, state, or federal, could and should be done by the private sector. Perhaps these right-wing nutjobs have never worked in the public service arena. One is not necessarily better or worse than the other. Public sector and private sector are two different animals. One provides publically funded services and the other is based on the profit motive. Both are necessary in a functional society.
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Stephen Martin - Crofton, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Oh I'm Sorry - 2010-02-10 11:59:23
I almost Forgot.
In addition to being understaffed and overworked we get to go a Second Year without a pay raise or cost of living raise of any kind.
This may not sound like much but factor in the furlough days we've already taken (5 for me,10 for others) plus the "Service Reduction days" which are not furlough days but again we have to use paid leave and we still lose.
Anybody still up for a State Job?
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Steve Gundersen - Annapolis, Md - Karma: Bad
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Days off - 2010-02-10 11:51:12
And yes I am getting paid for days off. However when returning to County job on Friday- I will have 4 days of work to catch up on during my regular scheduled hours(no overtime)so just because we are off with pay does not mean the county is paying me for no work. Don't pick on the employeed ones; why not start with those collecting unemployment whom are capable of working or those receiving welfare and state insurance that are steading having children they can't afford.. Or help go after the fathers to pay instead of the state.
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dianna cantler - arnold, md - Karma: Excellent
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Steve - 2010-02-10 11:39:14
Thank you Steve. Everyone has the job that they applied for. Us State-County-City workers applied for the jobs for the benefits. Anyone can apply for these positions as long as you qualify and if you don't qualify you may go to school/training to get qualified so you have chosen to take the employement you have..
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dianna cantler - arnold, md - Karma: Excellent
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Now The Gloves Come Off - 2010-02-10 11:32:33
I'm sick of people on these boards downing State Employees and encourage them to acquire State Jobs so you can see what we've had to go through in the past three years.
(1) Mandatory Furloughs (This means you have to take days off with No Pay).
(2) Lay Offs
(3) Understaffed Offices with people (like myself) doing the work of 5 people and certainly not getting paid for it.
(4) Liberal Leave-Basically unlike Federal,County,and City employees we have to use our own leave if inclement weather strikes and lose more money instead of the Governor closing State offices.
In short you don't know what goes on in State Government but I've been employed by the State of Maryland for 25 years and I more than invite you to find out oh and by the way to all of the pre-madonnas (spelling) out there who say "you're lucky to have a job" the Governor has already announced a fresh new set of Lay offs for the spring and summer.
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Steve Gundersen - Annapolis, Md - Karma: Bad
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women - 2010-02-10 10:04:54
My friends the use of the term man hour is sexist. Also your jokes about government workers are old and not very funny.
Let us also realize that government workers and the military are tools this society uses to employ those unable to work elsewhere.
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Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible
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State workers - 2010-02-10 08:29:00
I did some research and found the Applicable Table for Government Worker Equivalents.
4 government man hours = 1 Standard man hour
I did see some notable variations, they are as follows.
If you have 2 gov. workers on the same site or job it then decreases to 8 gov. man hrs. = .5 regular man hrs.
This is also important to note. If a Gov. employed supervisor is at or on the same job site the Gov. man hrs. must then be reduced by 50% and here's the interesting part. One must then deduct a total of 4 hrs per day, every day a Gov. Supervisor is on site as he himself equates to a Negative in the production equation.....and that's the reason you'll always see 6 men standing and one man working on a Government run job.
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jack douglass - arnold, MD - Karma: Neutral
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State Workers... - 2010-02-10 06:00:27
"...The beauty of it is that the poor saps that do show up for work have to work 5 times as hard because they are poorly staffed."
Does that mean we finally get an entire man-day's work out of one? LOL!
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Mark Conrad - Severna Park, MD - Karma: Excellent
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County-State-City - 2010-02-10 01:01:01
Just like to correct some statements of us employees. County employee for 5 years. We have not gotten a cost of living increase in 2 years, we did not get any step increases in 2 years, we have been furloughed for the past 2 years, our health insurance increased (I pay $352 each month), our pension deduction increased to 5%, my take home pay is less than most peoples unemployment checks. Between mine and my husbands furlough days we lose a 1/2 months pay. But I'm not complaining. I have a job and do it very well.
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dianna cantler - arnold, md - Karma: Excellent
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Snow - 2010-02-10 00:00:19
As the capital of the state, the City of Annapolis should be ashamed and embarrassed that it can't get it's snow removal act together.
if there is an insufficient amount of snow in Vancouver, the Winter Olympics can alway come to Annapolis and hold the mogul competition on Bay Ridge Avenue.
As Donald Trump would say, Josh Cohen, you;re fired!!
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Jeffrey Ross - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Snow - 2010-02-09 22:31:51
Tina,
I agree! And last I heard, the State and Counties were looking for drivers to help them out. I know the last storm they had snow plow trucks sitting, without any drivers... Maybe all those people collecting unemployment checks should get out and get a job plowing... they can even use their food stamps to get a hot cup of coffee while they earn some good money!
Or maybe, our "State Dance Instructor" can "dance" the snow away while the three "videographers" put it on the ever so popular public access channel. And then the the five state "public information officers" can type up a press release two weeks after the storm....
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Mike Newman - , - Karma: Neutral
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Our Snow Is Different - 2010-02-09 22:05:24
For those transplanted experts on snow, a mild note -- our snow is different. It isn't light and fluffy, it's wet and HEAVY. Due to its weight, it's tough to plow. Due to its water content, it melts under sunny skies even when temps are just below freezing, and then it freezes overnight. Couple those conditions with our (prudently) limited snow-removal resources, and we occasionally get caught behind the 8-ball. This is one of those times.
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Tina Chite - Churchton, MD - Karma: Excellent
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State Employees - 2010-02-09 21:41:06
If you are a state employee and are upset that you have to take leave, I suggest you talk to your budget division and that might shed some light on why you have to take leave. I think you should take some unpaid leave. Be happy you have a job! I am sure you will try and claim comp time for writing to this paper...
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Mike Newman - , - Karma: Neutral
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Wow, here we go again!! - 2010-02-09 21:19:12
Alright everyone take a chill pill, relax, cause baby it's cold outside and snowing AGAIN. Just remember spring is only forty days away and hopefully we will all be back on the road by then. Would someone please pass the whine, I mean wine or a cold beer would be good too.
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Keith Potter - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good
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Neal - 2010-02-09 20:36:38
The County is not plowing school lots. The school is responsible for their own lots.
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Fay Hall - Severna Park, md - Karma: Excellent
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Matter of Resources - 2010-02-09 17:00:48
Why is the county plowing the schools when the schools are going to be closed all this week. Those resources should be used to clear the streets first. If the school buses can't get into the sub divisions because the streets haven't been plowed, why plow the schools?
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Neal Smith - Severna Park, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Jack - 2010-02-09 10:48:52
Thanks for the positive side of the snow. I think maybe some of our posters are a little too snow weary to see it that way.
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Fay Hall - Severna Park, md - Karma: Excellent
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A Matter of Resources - 2010-02-09 09:29:28
Salvatorre has made a valid point about the limitation of resources in areas that don't normally get that much snow.
Just thank God you're not an official trying to battle this disaster without the sufficient means to do so.
I lived in the snow belt in South Bend, IN for several years, and I know all about snow. I also know that they have more resources there to keep the streets clear by plowing all night long. Even areas like that have problems when they get hit with harsh winters and face dwindling supplies of sand and salt.
It has nothing to do with how tough you are; it has everything to do with what available resources you have.
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Doug Hill - Arnold, MD - Karma: Excellent
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What a crock...for your Boston Bean - 2010-02-09 08:30:17
"In New England, we regularly got snows of ten feet or more and we didn't even shut down the library." Puleeze. Drop the snow-superiority. I know quite a few transplants from New England, and they were all stunned by this storm, too. I don't care where you live, 28 inches is a big deal. Do we overreact in this area? Sure. Why? Because we don't get as much snow and therefore don't have the equipment to remove it properly. And since we don't get as much snow, we don't have as much opportunity to learn to drive in it properly. AND we have a dense population of over 8 million people living on top of each other in the DC/Baltimore metro. The best part of living in this transient area is that there is always someone from another part of the country who is there to tell you that whatever we do here, they did much better in their home state. That's fantastic.
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Salvatorre Bagatelli - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good
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No Tears - 2010-02-09 07:21:50
Having been out of New England for 27 years--that a wicked long time-- you hardly seem an authority on all things New England. New Englanders , real ones anyway, Prefer Beer now, not whine.
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Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible
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All Babies Cry - 2010-02-09 06:29:30
I moved from New England to the Annapolis area 27 yrs ago and am very accustomed to the snow. Up north 24" is not a big deal because it's what your accustomed to. Here we get 5" and everyone is crying. It's snow, not Fire. Get a shovel or a sled and get use to it. The people up north are no different from the people of Maryland. They just know the rules. (1.) Never rely on the accuracy of the Weather Forecaster. (when they say 18" expect 2" when they say 2" you can count on 18".) Don't count on your Government they respond poorly under normal circumstances, expect nothing more during time like this. ( 2). Expect your heat and electric to go out BG&E does! (3.) Prepare ahead. Buy a 12 volt TV with a built-in dvd player and hook it up to a boat battery in the den, line your walk way with solar powered lights and bring all 24 of them in at night to light your house as you watch a good movie from RedBox. (4.) Get a shovel, get a sled, get plenty of food & wine.
Take the shovel and help a neighbor dig out. Take the sled and have some fun with your kids or your spouse (your never too old) you can't stop nature so go out and enjoy it. Take some pictures. At the end of the day you will have helped a neighbor, had some fun with the family and taken in the wonder of nature. Go in try a new recipe have a bottle of wine and watch a good movie. And please stop your crying your still on the better side of the Turf!
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jack douglass - arnold, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Safeway - 2010-02-08 18:30:22
I was wondering the same thing about the Safeway. Surprised I didn't see it here online or on the news.
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Michele Cherry - Churchton, MD - Karma: Neutral
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safeway - 2010-02-08 15:57:22
is there anything in this paper about the roof of Safeway collapsing? Ohh if someone hasnt gotten that call yet, no school tomorrow either i would almost bet the farm on them being out all week.
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heather w - lothian, md - Karma: Neutral
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I too am a State Employee - 2010-02-08 15:08:20
And I enjoy the fact that we have to use our own leave if we want to take off in inclement weather hence this "Liberal Leave" BS.
The beauty of it is that the poor saps that do show up for work have to work 5 times as hard because they are poorly staffed.
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Steve Gundersen - Annapolis, Md - Karma: Bad
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Fast typing - 2010-02-08 08:36:05
hear the complaining
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Salvatorre Bagatelli - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good
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Things are tough all over - 2010-02-08 08:35:18
Mary...I, like many in the private sector, struggled to get to work today, because that is what is expected of us. And trust me, everyone is going through furloughs and downsizing, etc. Government workers are hardly alone in all that. The rest of us don't get the holidays that government workers get either. And I'm not complaining. I wouldn't want a government job. I'd go out of my mind with boredom. I just don't want to here the complaining.
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Salvatorre Bagatelli - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good
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Salvatorre et al. - 2010-02-08 06:21:30
If you can get to work today, consider yourself lucky. Believe me, I would much prefer going to the office than taking a "snow day." I only mention the closing of the county and federal governments because they, like many public sector employers, realize that it will be impossible for many of their employees to get to work. Look, I realize we're lucky to have the day paid for regardless, but we state employees, who are already struggling with pay reductions, furloughs, and down-sizing, can ill afford to be percieved as opting to take the day off.
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Mary MacK - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good
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Snow day anyone - 2010-02-08 01:01:35
I know thats not a government employee complaining. All the holidays they get off, must be nice. Just add a snow day. If not becareful out there!
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Anthony Forrest - crownsville, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Good enough for Government - 2010-02-08 00:01:30
Mary...this sounds pretty intramural. Federal vs. State vs. County vs. City. Let me be the ref here. You are all winners. So you didn't get the day off. Join the club. The rest of us have to be at work tomorrow. No matter what.
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Salvatorre Bagatelli - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good
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Miss Mary Mack - 2010-02-07 22:28:34
No workee, no payee. Seems to make sense. I hope you can embrace my lesson.
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Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible
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O'Malley - 2010-02-07 20:43:55
Love the way he tells everyone to stay off the roads but expects State employees to take leave if they can't get to work tomorrow. Meanwhile, the county and federal governments are closed.
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Mary MacK - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good
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